Barrel plating machine



June 12, 1962 w. H. JACKSON BARREL PLATING MACHINE Filed Do. s, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTOR. Vl zl/Zzkm bf JZaiaaw.

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June 12, w, CKSO BARREL PLATING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 3, 1959 INVENTOR. M i/Z avr A! JZd/is'ayz limited btates @atent salsa-e51 BARREL PLATllNG MACHINE William H. Jackson, Birmingham, Mich assignor to The Udylite Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 3, E52 Ser. No. 857,118 Claims. (Cl. 204-213) This invention broadly relates to (electroplating apparatus and more particularly to improvements in cluster barrel plating apparatus adapted for simultaneously processing a multitude of segregated varieties of small workpieces in bulk.

Clustertype plating barrel apparatuses of the general type herein described are widely employed in industry for simultaneously processing bulk quantities of extremely small workpieces which because of their small size and relatively small bulk cannot be efiiciently and economically handled individually or in conventional barrel plating apparatus of larger size. Larger workpieces such as rods and tubes because of their configuration may also be advantageously processed in apparatus of this type. The cluster barrels or cylinders are removably mounted in circumferentially spaced relationship around a rotatable shaft and travel in a circular orbit as the shaft is rotated. This provides for a very gentle tumbling of the workpieces within the cluster barrels or treating cylinders and simultaneously provides for excellent agitation of the treating solution combined with the definite replenishing of the solutions within the treating cylinders. These factors enable very small fragile workpieces to be quickly and efiiciently treated or processed through a treating sequence which may include high temperature alkaline and acid immersion steps and one or more electroplating steps.

Cluster barrel plating apparatus of this general type may include different numbers of treating cylinders of different size capacities which are planetariiy arranged around the central rotating shaft. Each of the treating cylinders is adapted to be removably installed in appropriate position and removed therefrom to enable loading and unloading of the workpieces. Treating cylinder mounting or retainer mechanisms heretofore employed have alternately not possessed the requisite positive retention of heavily loaded treating cylinders to prevent their dislodgcment by jarring and shocks encountered during processing or have included positive locking mechanisms which require considerable manual manipulation for the installation and removal of the treating cylinders from the supporting framework. Furthermore, the design limitations of the mounting mechanism necessitated complex and costly compensating changes in the designs of the treating cylinders and the means for supplying electrical current to the workpieces contained in the treating cylinders.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present inven tion is to provide an improved cluster barrel or treating cylinder retainer mechanism which assures positive retention of each of the treating cylinders increasing the loading flexibility thereof and enables the quick and simple removal and installation of the treating cylinders on the supporting framework.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved treating cylinder retainer mechanism that enables maximum simplicity in the design of each of the plurality of treating cylinders retained thereby and incorporates therein a nonhazardous and dependable method for supplying electrical current to the workpieces contained within the treating cylinder.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved treating cylinder retaining mechanism that is 2 of simple and durable design and operation, economical in manufacture which increases the flexibility and efiiciency of the cluster barrel treating apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FEGURE l is a perspective view of a typical cluster barrel plating apparatus incorporating the preferred embodiments of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of one of the treating cylinders and supporting retainer mechanism shown in FlGURE 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the positive locking feature of the retainer mechanism. shown in FIG. 2 and taken along the line 33 thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the hub por tion of the treating cylinder shown in FIG. 2 and taken along the line i4 thereof.

Referring now to the drawings and as may be best seen in FIGURE 1, a typical cluster barrel plating apparatus is comprised of a plurality of planetarily disposed treatin" cylinders 10 mounted on a framework which is retatably supported on a suitable overhanging framework 12. The entire assembly is adapted to be suspended from a suitable conveying apparatus in engagement with lifting eye 14 connected to the uppermost portion of the overhanging framework 12,. The cluster barrel assembly is sequentially raised and lowered into a series of treating tanks or receptacles immersing the treating cylinders it in the treating solutions contained therein. The orbital movement of the treating cylinders 10 while immersed in the treating solutions may be achieved, for example, by suitable motor means 16 mounted on the upper portion of the overhanging framework 12 which is connected by suitable reduction gearing to driven gear 18 connected to central shaft 20 around which treating cylinders 10 are removably mounted. The level of the solution in the treating receptacle may be adjusted so that each of the treating cylinders it break through the upper surface when at the top of their orbit permitting a portion of the treating solution to drain therefrom and which solution is subsequently replenished as the treating cylinder is reimmersed. This arrangement facilitates circulation of the treating solution through the treating cylinders l0 and helps to expel any hydrogen evolved during an electroplating step from the treating cylinders during each revolution of the cluster barrels. Moreover, the rotary action of the treating cylinders 10 provides excellent agitation and assures a homogeneous consistency of the treating solution. The treating cylinders 10 are removably mounted so as to prevent rotation around their own axes whereby the workpieces contained therein receive a gentle tumbling action as the cylinders move through their circular orbit. In treating stations wherein the workpieces are to be subjected to an electrotreating or plating operation a supply of electrical current may be transmitted to the cluster barrel assembly by any of the well known means such as contact lugs 22 mounted on the overhanging framework and in electrical contact with bus bars (not shown) mounted adjacent the upper end portions of the treating receptacle.

In the specific cluster barrel plating apparatus here in described, four treating cylinders 1d are employed which are circumferentially spaced at approximately from each other. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the specific embodiments of this invention are equally applicable to cluster barrel plating apparatus having more or less than four treating cylinders mounted in a row or tier and may include a plurality of tiers longitudinally spaced along the central rotating shaft 20.

When more than one tier of treating cylinders are in corporated in a cluster barrel plating apparatus it is preferred that the treating cylinders of each tier be angularly offset and disposed approximately midway between the treating cylinders of the adjacent tier. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the treating cylinders is comprised of a cylindrical body 24 having an end wall 26 fixedly secured to one end thereof and a closure end Wall 23 removably mounted on the other end of the cylindrical body 24. The cylindrical body 24 is provided with a plurality of perforations 30 communicating with the interior of the treating cylinder to facilitate circulation of the treating solutions and electrolytes into and out of the treating cylinders. The interior surface of the cylinder body 24 may also be provided with a series of longitudinal raised projections or tumbling ribs 32 which tend to deflect the workpieces impinging thereon toward the interior of the treating cylinder thereby assuring a constant turnover of the workpieces contained therein. Electrification of the workpieces contained in the treating cylinder 10 is achieved by cone contacts or electrodes 34 extending inwardly and substantially perpendicular to the interior surfaces of end walls 26 and 28. The cone electrodes 34 are fixedly secured at substantially the center of the end walls 26 and 28 by means of cathode screws 36 extending through circular bosses 38 afiixed to the exterior center surfaces of end walls 26 and 28 and having the shank portion thereof in threaded engagement with cone electrodes 34. The truncated conical head portions 40 of the cathode screws 36 projecting beyond the side surfaces of bosses 38 are adapted to be engaged by a suitable cylinder retaining mechanism which will be subsequently described in detail.

The treating cylinders 10 may be constructed from a variety of selected materials which are substantially resistant to chemical attack and are of adequate structural strength. Materials such as polymethyl methacrylate, phenol formaldehyde and synthetic and natural hard rubbers which are electrically nonconductive have been satisfactorily employed in constructing treating cylinders of the type herein described. Satisfactory treating cylinders made of steel have also been used having an exterior protective coating over the entire exposed surfaces thereof to prevent corrosive attack by the acidic and alkaline solutions and to electrically insulate the treating cylinder from the cathodic or anodic electrotreating current. Protective coatings suitable for this purpose are well known in the art and include vinyl resins and highly fluorinated polymeric hydrocarbons such as tetrafluoroethylene.

Each of the treating cylinders 10 are removably supported at their ends between a pair of longitudinally spaced support members 42 and 44 secured to the central shaft 20 and radially extending therefrom. As shown in FIG. 2, the end portions of the central shaft 20 are provided with axial bores 46 having a suitable metallic bearing sleeve 48 mounted therein for rotatably supporting the central shaft 20 on stub shafts 50 secured to the lower end portions of legs 52 of the overhanging framework 12. Each of the outer end portions of support members 42 is provided with a socket in threaded engagement therewith having a cavity in the exterior face thereof which is shaped complementary to the shape of the conical head portion 40 of the cathode screw 36 secured in the end wall of the treating cylinder 10. In the specific cluster barrel plating machine shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 the end portion of the support member 42 is also provided with a longitudinally extending mounting lug 56 to which the driven gear 18 may be secured by a suitable fillister head screw 58 whereby the treating cylinders 10 and the central shaft 20 may be rotated. A suitable plug or filler material 59 may be utilized to till the cavity above the head of screw 58 to prevent corrosive attack thereof by the treating solutions. In cluster barrel plating apparatus having more than one tier of cluster barrels or treating cylinders only the support members 42 adjacent to the driven gear 18 would be provided with the mounting lugs 56.

The other end of the treating cylinder 10 adjacent support member 44 is removably mounted in a resiliently biased socket 60 secured to a deflectable leg of a U-shaped spring 64. The end portion of a fixed leg 66 of the U- shaped spring 64 is fixedly secured to the support member 44 as shown in FIG. 2. Resiliently biased socket 60 has a cavity in the outward face thereof of a configuration similar to that of the socket 54 on the support member 42 and is adapted to receive the head portion 40 project ing from the exterior end surface of the treating cylinder 1!). The specific arrangement of the U-shaped spring 64 relative to the treating cylinder 10 and the support member 44 enables longitudinal deflection of the resiliently biased socket 64) toward the support member 44 and out of engagement with the conical head portion 4% of the cathode screw 36. In the engaged position the U-shaped spring 64 continuously urges the resiliently biased socket 60 longitudinally toward the socket 54 removably clamping treating cylinder 10 therebetween. Inadvertent disengagement of the resiliently biased socket 60 and the conical head portion 40 on the end of treating cylinder 10 is prevented by the coaction of the end portion of an L-shaped locking leg 68 extending outwardly from the defiectable leg 62 of the U-shaped spring 64 and the interior face of a locking knob 70. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the end portion of the L-shaped locking leg 68 overlies the upper end portion of support member 44 and is disposed within a longitudinal rectangular slot 72 in the outer face surface of a locking block 74 fixedly secured to the outer end portion of support member 44 such as by recessed screws 75 having the head portions thereof sealed from corrosive attack by filler plugs 59. The coaction between the sides of the L-shaped locking leg 68 and the side portions of the rectangular slot 72 restricts the lateral deflection of the U-shaped spring 64 maintaining it in substantial radial alignment with the support member 44. The locking knob 70 is rotatably mounted on the exterior side surface of the locking block 74 and is of a cylindrical configuration having a fiat por tion 76 along the periphery thereof which may be selectively indexed to align with the base portion of the rectangular slot 72 by rotating the locking knob 70. When the peripheral flat portion 76 is aligned with the base of rectangular slot 72 the defiectable leg 62 and the locking leg 68 may be longitudinally deflected toward the support member 44 by enabling the end portion or the L-shaped locking leg 68 to slide over and beyond the knob 70. The rotation of the knob 70 such that the fiat peripheral portion 76 is out of alignment with the rectangular slot 72, prevents the longitudinal deflection of the deflectable leg 62 due to the abutting coaction between the end of the L-shaped locking leg 68 and the inner face surface of the knob 70. To facilitate finger gripping of the knob 70 the peripheral surface thereof may be knurled.

Rotation of the treating cylinders 10 about their own longitudinal axes is prevented by the coaction between a stop pin 78 secured to each of the resiliently biased sockets 6t) and projecting beyond the face surfaces thereof and which projecting end portions are adapted to engage the sides of a radial slot 80 along the periphery of each of the circular bosses 38 disposed adjacent thereto as may be best seen in FIG. 4. As aforementioned, it is necessary to prevent rotation of the treating cylinders 10 about their own axes to achieve a gentle tumbling of the workpieces contained therein as they move around in their circular orbit. An alternate satisfactory method of preventing the rotation of treating cylinders 10 about their own longitudinal axes may be achieved by providing a cavity in the resiliently biased socket 60 or socket 54 or both and the head portions 40 of screws 36 with a configuration that is mutually engaging, thereby preventing relative rotation therebetween.

The transmission of electrical energy to the conical electrodes 34 within the treating cylinders is achieved by cable conductors 82 connected at one of their ends to contact lugs 22 (FIGURE 1) and having the other end portions thereof electrically connected to stub shafts 50. The electrical energy is transmitted from stub shafts 50 through bearing sleeves 48 to the central shaft and thence up through support members 42 and 44. The electrical current passes from support member 42 to socket 54 and thence to conical head portion 40 and cathode screw 36 to conical electrode 34. Similarly, the electrical current passes from support member 44 through the U-shaped spring 64 to resiliently biased socket 6t and thence to the conical head portion 40 of the cathode screw 36 connected to the other of the cone electrodes 34. To minimize the resistance the U-shaped spring 64 may be comprised of a highly conductive material such as, for example, a Phosphor bronze material.

As will be noted in the drawings all of the metallic parts which are subject to immersion in the treating solutions including the central shaft 20, the leg portions 52 of the overhanging framework 12 and the treating cylinder retaining mechanism including the U-shaped spring 64 are protected from corrosive attack by a suitable surface coating 84 over the exterior surfaces thereof comprised of the compositions aforementioned, such as vinyl resins and highly fluorinated polymeric hydrocarbons such as tetrafluoroethylene. Corrosive attack of the cavities in the sockets 54 and 6t and of the conical head portions 40' of the cathode screws 36 is minimized due to the firm abutting relationship of the face surfaces of the sockets and the circular bosses 38 on the exterior faces of the ends of treating cylinders 10.

In operation each of the treating cylinders is loaded by removing closure end wall 28 and filling the interior of the treating cylinder approximately half full with workpieces. Closure end wall 28 is replaced on the cylinder body 24 and the assembled and loaded treating cylinder 10 is installed on the cluster barrel plating apparatus by first rotating the locking knob 70 so that the peripheral fiat portion '76 thereof is in alignment with the base portion of the rectangular slot 72. The resiliently biased socket 6t) and the deflectable leg 62 are then longitudinally deflected toward support member 44 enabling the conical head portions 40 of cathode screws 36 to be engaged in the cavities in the sockets 54 and 60*. The treating cylinder is rotated until the stop pin 78 on the resiliently biased socket 60 is aligned with and disposed in the radial slot 80 in the boss 38 in the end of the treating cylinder preventing the rotation thereof about its own axis. The U-shaped spring 64 is then released clamping the treating cylinder 10 longitudinally between sockets 54 and 60 and the locking knob 70 is rotated restricting the longitudinal deflection of the resiliently biased socket 60 toward support member 40. The treating cylinder 10 is quickly and simply removed from the cluster barrel plating apparatus on completion of the treating sequence by simply reversing the steps aforementioned.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments herein illustrated are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a liquid treating apparatus including at least one tier of a plurality of treating cylinders longitudinally disposed around a central shaft in planetary circumferentially spaced relationship, the improvement comprising a treating cylinder retainer mechanism for removably mounting each of said plurality of treating cylinders on said central shaft and for transmitting electrical current to the workpieces contained therein, said retainer mechanism comprising a first plurality of support members mounted on said shaft in electrical contact therewith and radially extending therefrom, a second plurality of support members mounted on said shaft in electrical contact therewith and longitudinally spaced from and in radial alignment with respective ones of said first plurality of support members, at least one end of each of said treating barrels provided with conductor means for contacting the workpieces therein, means on each of said first plurality of support members for engaging and electrically contacting one of said conductor means on one of the ends of one of said treating cylinders, coacting means associated with said treating cylinders and said support members for preventing rotation of said treating cylinders about their own axes, and resiliently biased means on each of said second plurality of support members for engaging the other one of said ends of said treating cylinders and removably clamping each of said cylinders between respective ones of said first plurality and said second plurality of support members.

2. In ,a liquid treating apparatus including at least one tier of a plurality of treating cylinders disposed longitudinally around a central shaft in planetary circumferentially spaced relationship, the improvement comprising a treating cylinder retainer mechanism for removably mounting each of said plurality of treating cylinders on said central shaft and for transmitting electrical current to the workpieces contained therein, said retainer mechanism comprising a plurality of pairs of support members secured to said shaft in electrical contact therewith and radially extending therefrom, means for supplying an electrical current to said shaft, each of said pairs of support members comprising a first support member and a second support member longitudinally spaced from said first support member and in radial alignment therewith, each of said treating cylinders having conductor means mounted on the ends thereof and projecting into the interior of said treating cylinder, a first engaging means mounted in electrical contact on said first support member for removably engaging and electrically contacting one of said conductor means on one of the ends of said treating cylinder disposed between said first and said second support members, a second engaging means mounted in electrical contact on said second support member for removably engaging and electrically contacting one of said conductor means on the other of said ends of said treating cylinder, means associated with said second engaging means for longitudinally urging said second engaging means toward said first engaging means and removably clamping said treating cylinder therebetween, and coacting means associated with said treating cylinders and said support members for preventing rotation of said treating cylinders about their own axes.

3. In a liquid treating apparatus including at least one tier of a plurality of treating cylinders disposed longitudinally around a central shaft in planetary circumferentially spaced relationship, the improvement comprising a treating cylinder retainer mechanism for removably mounting each of said plurality of treating cylinders on said central shaft and for transmitting electrical current to the workpieces contained therein, said retainer mechanism comprising a plurality of pairs of support members secured to said shaft in electrical contact therewith and radially extending therefrom, means for supplying electrical current to said shaft, each of said pairs of support members comprising a first support member and a second support member longitudinally spaced from said first support member and in radial alignment therewith, a first socket secured to said first support member and in electrical contact therewith for receiving and electrically contacting a complementarily shaped projection on one of the ends of a treating cylinder disposed between said first and said second support members, a second socket associated with and disposed in electrical contact with said second support member for receiving and electrically contacting a complementarily shaped projection on the other of said ends of said treating cylinder, said projection on each of said ends of said treating cylinder electrically connected to a conductor extending into the interior of said treating cylinder for contacting the workpieces therein, resilient means electrically connected to said second socket for longitudinally biasing said second socket toward said first socket and removably clamping said treating cylinder therebetween, locking means associated with said second support member and said resilient means selectively positionable to restrict the longitudinal deflection of said second socket away from said first socket, and coacting means associated with said treating cylinders and said support members for preventing rotation of said treating cylinders about their own axes.

4. In a liquid treating apparatus including at least one tier of a plurality of treating cylinders disposed longitudinally around a central shaft in planetary circumferentially spaced relationship, the improvement comprising a treating cylinder retainer mechanism for removably mounting each of said plurality of treating cylinders on said central shaft and for transmitting electrical current to the workpieces contained therein, said retainer mechanism comprising a plurality of pairs of support members secured to said shaft in electrical contact therewith and radially extending therefrom, each of said pairs of support members comprising a first support member and a second support member longitudinally spaced from said first support member and in radial alignment therewith, a U-shaped spring disposed between said support members comprising a fixed leg electrically connected to said second support member and a defiectable leg longitudinally spaced from and in radial alignment with said second support member, a first socket secured to said first support member and in electrical contact therewith for receiving and electrically contacting a complementarily shaped projection on one of the ends of a treating cylinder disposed between said first and said second support members, a second socket secured to said deflectable leg of said U-shaped spring and in electrical contact therewith for receiving and electrically contacting a complementarily shaped projection on the other of said ends of said treating cylinder and disposed in longitudinal alignment with said first socket, said projection on each of said ends of said treating cylinder electrically connected to a conductor extending into the interior of said treating cylinder for contacting the workpieces therein, a locking leg connected to said defiectable leg and extending therefrom so as to overlie the end portion of said second support member, engaging means secured to the end portion of said second support member for engaging said locking leg and restricting the lateral movement thereof, locking means associated with said second support member selectively positionable to abut the end portion of said locking leg for restricting the longitudinal deflection of said deflectable leg toward said second support member, and coacting means associated with said treating cylinders and said support members for preventing rotation of said treating cylinders about their own axes.

5. In a liquid treating apparatus including at least one tier of a plurality of treating cylinders disposed longitudinally around a central shaft in planetary circumferentially spaced relationship, the improvement comprising a treating cylinder retainer mechanism for removably mounting each of said plurality of treating cylinders on said central shaft and for transmitting electrical current to the workpieces contained therein, said retainer mecha nism comprising a plurality of pairs of support members secured to said shaft in electrical contact therewith and radially extending therefrom, each of said pairs of support members comprising a first support member and a second support member longitudinally spaced from said first support member and in radial alignment therewith, a U-shaped spring disposed between said support members comprising a fixed leg electrically connected to said second support member and a deflectable leg longitudinally spaced from and in radial alignment with said second support member, a first socket secured to said first support member and in electrical contact therewith for receiving and electrically contacting a complementarily shaped projection on one of the ends of a treating cylinder disposed between said first and said second support members, a second socket secured to said defiectable leg of said U-shaped spring and disposed in electrical contact therewith for receiving and electrically contacting a complementarily shaped projection on the other of said ends of said treating cylinder and disposed in longitudinal alignment with said first socket, said projection on each of said ends of said treating cylinder electrically connected to a conductor extending into the interior of said treating cylinder for contacting the workpieces therein, a locking leg connected to said defiectable leg and extending therefrom so as to overlie the end portion of said second support member, a locking block secured to the outer end portion of said second support member having a longitudinal groove in the outer surface thereof for receiving the overlying end portion of said locking leg,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Getchell Sept. 28, 1886 Fabens Mar. 26, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,038,851 June 12, 1962 William H. Jackson It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

- Column 1, line 9 for "telectroplating" read electroplating column 4, line 5 after "leg" insert 62 Signed and sealed this 1st day of January 1963.

lSEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER DAVID LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN A LIQUID TREATING APPARATUS INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE TIER OF PLURALITY OF TREATING CYLINDERS LONGITUDINALLY DISPOSED AROUND A CENTRAL SHAFT IN PLANETARY CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED RELATIONSHIP, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A TREATING CYLINDER RETAINER MECHANISM FOR REMOVABLY MOUNTING EACH OF SAID PLURALITY OF TREATING CYLINDERS ON SAID CENTRAL SHAFT AND FOR TRANSMITTING ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE WORKPIECES CONTAINED THEREIN, SAID RETAINER MECHANISM COMPRISING A FIRST PLURALITY OF SUPPORT MEMBERS MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT THEREWITH AND RADIALLY EXTENDING THEREFROM, A SECOND PLURALITY OF SUPPORT MEMBERS MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT THEREWITH AND LONGITUDINALLY SPACED FROM AND IN RADIAL ALIGNMENT WITH RESPECTIVE ONES OF SAID FIRST PLURALITY OF SUPPORT MEMBERS, AT LEAST ONE END OF EACH OF SAID TREATING BARRELS PROVIDED WITH CONDUCTOR MEANS FOR CONTACTING THE WORKPIECES THEREIN, MEANS ON EACH OF SAID FIRST PLURALITY OF SUPPORT MEMBERS FOR ENGAGING AND ELCTRICALLY CONTACTING ONE OF SAID CONDUCTOR MEANS ON ONE OF THE ENDS OF ONE OF SAID TREATING CYLINDERS, COACTING MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID TREATING CYLINDERS AND SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS FOR PREVENTING ROTATION OF SAID TREATING CYLINDERS ABOUT THEIR OWN AXES, AND RESILIENTLY BIASED MEANS FOR EACH OF SAID SECOND PLURALITY OF SUPPORT MEMBERS FOR ENGAGING THE OTHER ONE OF SAID ENDS OF SAID TREATING CYLINDERS AND REMOVABLY CLAMPING EACH OF SAID CYLINDERS BETWEEN RESPECTIVE ONES OF SAID FIRST PLURALITY AND SAID SECOND PLURALITY OF SUPPORT MEMBERS. 